According to a new Gallup poll, Americans have become less optimistic that a fiscal cliff deal will be reached between the president and congressional leaders before January 1st.

The changes can be expected as the updated poll was conducted Dec. 21-22 -- shortly after House Speaker John Boehner pulled ‘Plan B’. As Guy noted at the time of the ‘Plan B’ fiasco, Boehner’s move was a big win for Democrats and it seems to show in this poll. Public approval of congressional Democratic leaders’ handling of the negotiations actually rose 11 percent, with even Harry Reid’s approval rating up 10 points – apparently for his “doing nothing” approach. There were no significant changes in ratings of Republican leadership.